1535 replies to this topic

[Bean]

Photos!






He's now utterly suspension-less up front, lol

We've also stolen his doughnuts and Hi-lows ...


Well, he won't be needing them!

[M44K TS]

Looking a bit sorry for itself at the minute, but doesn't really look too bad though.

Loving the springs though.

[Bean]

Yeah, he's alright really - He's not too bad, rust wise - But I would rather it's done now, than for his scuttle to get any worse - It's just going to be more time-consuming and expensive later on, otherwise!

I love my springs! It's amazing the difference they make on a car - But it still feels 'mini', if that makes sense? You don't lose anything by getting rid of the doughnuts, but the ride is transformed - really comfortable!

At the moment, we're waiting for both of us to have a spare few minutes, that we can start on him properly - But everything seems to happen at once at the moment, and we've still not finished the house - So between that, and work & other stuff ... Reggie's sitting outside, looking at the garage, lol

Going to give him a new front panel, definitely - undecided about the wings at the moment - Depends what the state of the seams are on them - But I think I might just replace them anyways.



PS - Don't worry about how he looks - He'll get better, I promise!

Besides, he's looked worse!

[Bean]

Well, K worked really hard to clear the garage the other day, so Reggie's now tucked up nice and cosy




So, I took the opportunity to strip him down!

I started off with the boot & getting rid of the thick black paint that's on there - I worked my way into the driver's side corner, and wished I hadn't! There's a rather interesting repair back there - There's a bit of metal tacked on, then just seam sealed over - Nice!

I've also stripped him of his lights, boot lid, bumper - Valance isn't too bad, but is dented from the recovery chap towing Reggie up onto a low-loader


Anyways, I worked my way 'round to the front. The scuttle in particular - I wanted to see what on earth was going on in the middle.

I removed the front screen, which came out really easily - thank god for new seals! However, the screen lamination has gone and it's gone all frosty - It's been bad for 2 years, but I've never bothered to do anything about it - Found the cause though - A nice chip in the corner. It's a shame though, as it's got his numberplate etched into it!

So anyway, I prepared for things to get very dusty and started stripping away the paint.

This is what I found!



Rather alarmingly, whilst stripping Reggie back - I've found that, when he went back to the paintshop the second time (after they did it completely wrong first time) - They've just filled over the previous paint and painted it again - There's SO much filler and paint on it!

Exhibit A:



The paint, literally, just peels off, due to the massive air-gap underneath it!


So, Reggie looks like this for now:



I stopped, partly because it was getting late and it would annoy the neighbours, but also because there was so much dust, I couldn't see

[Bean]

Not sure what to do about his wings ... HELP!

Panel gaps at the top are spot on, but the wings have scabbed. They aren't rusty, just scabbed along the seam, where the paint had split. The do have some corrosion on them, over the wheel arch, but it's very minimal.

Do I risk it and take the wings off and replace - And hope I can get a join as smooth again - Or do I risk it and keep the old ones on and remove the scabbing & patch up the little holes?


I'd be inclined to just remove them, they're only wings - But ... the join is perfect at the top & the scuttle ends are solid?

[minimadjonesy]

if they are ok as they are now then keep them, treat the rust and it'll be fine. if it's just a small scab then a localised repair would be fine

[pikey7]

indeed. treating the scabby bits and leave them for a day or 2, and see if they take. Sand back smooth and treat again and it'll probably last longer than the bits you haven't done!

Don't forget to weld the wings to the front panel aswell

once you've learned to weld you can sort that boot bit out too!

[Bean]

I'm also concerned about up and underneath the scuttle - You know the little closing panels up in the inner arch? I'll check them out first, I think, too - I want to be able to get to that bit, too.

Yeaah - I was thinking I might weld the wing to the front - I know it's a little old-fashioned to do that, but personal preference, really


Got some interesting repairs to do to the tops of the inner wings, too - Where the wing and the inner wing meet (The gutter that the bonnet sits in) - The lip as completely disintegrated! No need to take Reggie's inner wings off, but will have to do some work to build them back up again.

Need to get the subby out and the engine apart, really - He's still leaking oil all over the floor - I'm surprised there's any left in there!


Wondering if there's any benefit of going for a front-mounted rad, as per usual MPi - His side one seems to be working fine. I'll need to drill new holes in the subby whilst it's out, if I do go for it - Hmm, decisions decisions!


Oh, and I think I've changed my mind again on what he's going to look like ... I really can't decide!

[M44K TS]

Does the front panel need cutting out for the MPI radiator?

You're not joking about the dust either!

[Bean]

Yeah, it will do - IIRC, it's just a notch on the lower lip of the grille opening?

His front panel is going to be replaced anyways, it's rotten in places - I've already had it welded up in the past, so would rather replace it.


Yeah - The dust is awful - And I've only done the scuttle ends and middle - Crazy!

[bamby]

would it be best to jsut replace the front panel with an mpi one? although having said that you would have to change the bonnet as the catch is in offset compared to the previous minis?

still looks like youve got some work to do but my will it be worth it keep up the hard work

[Bean]

I'm not sure there's much difference between the MPi and standard front panel - I think it's literally just a section out of that lip. Shame - I used to have one that I could compare to! D'oh! Anyways, I've got a standard front panel here (thanks slyoldfox!), so think I'll just use that

Yeah - Loads to do. But it will definitely be worth it - A nice, reliable, comfortable Mini! Lovely!

Progress won't be made in the next week or so - I've got too much on at home at the moment


Thanks for dropping by!

[Bean]

Oh, and I think I've changed my mind again on what he's going to look like ... I really can't decide!

Decision made!

No turning back, either!!


More stripping in the garage tomorrow! Doors are coming off, engine bits and bobs are getting out of the way.


Which reminds me ...

Does anyone have a spit for sale or plans to make one?

[Bean]

Ohhh maaaaan!! What a day!

Got the engine loom out and started getting things out of the way of the engine. Then moved on to the doors - Which have come off fine - Phew! Was very worried about whether I'd have problems with breaking the nuts off.

So, the door hinge panels are OK:



(This one should be, as I knew it had been replaced before I bought Reggie!)

The other side is OK, too - But the A Panel inside is rotten. (I'll replace them both, anyway.)


The door steps are solid, but have a lot of scabbing on them:





As for the doors?

The paint is horrendous .. I knew the paint job on Reggie wasn't perfect, but it is literally just peeling off, everywhere - You can just lift off massive chunks of paint!




The driver's side door is perfect, no rust, no rot - It's brilliant!

The passenger side?




Bugger!



So - Continuing along the theme of rot ...

Remember that flitch panel I was worried about?







I'm pretty sure there's not supposed to be a gaping hole in it?




The other side looks a bit ominous, too?




New sills as well, then?


And last, but not least, I have decided that I will be removing the wings and replacing them.

Despite the joint at the top being so good:




I ventured over to the other side

It's awful!!!




And yes, that its a MASSIVE piece of thick sealant that was wedged in the gap!




Niiiice!


I then gave up for the day and sat down to make a list of what I need to look out for at Uttoxeter tomorrow!!

[M44K TS]

Some good progress, Reggie shall be back to former glory in no time!